East Central Reporter

City of Neoga City Council met November 13. 

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 Pro-tem 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, Police Chief Schabbing, Superintendent Shawn Durbin, and Neoga News Editor Billie Chambers, and Vic Brandenburg.

Minutes

After reviewing the regular session minutes, Commissioner Groves made a motion to approve the regular session minutes from October 22, 2018. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Pro-tem Hartke. Ayes, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

Public Affairs, Mayor Kepp

 Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association

City Clerk Evans explained to the Council that the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association general liability insurance is up for renewal at the end of the year. Evans explained that the quoted amount is $27,655 which includes a credit from last year in the amount of $12,439 for the work comp. After a very brief discussion about the credit, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to pay the invoice before November 21, 2018 to take advantage of the early pay discount of $274.05. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Pro-tem Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

2019 Regular Council Meeting Schedule

City Clerk Evans asked the Council if they wanted to keep the meeting schedule for the next year the same second and fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m. It was the consensus of the Council to continue with the same schedule.

ORDINANCE #925-11-18   An Ordinance Authorizing Execution of a Contract for

                                            Private Development Pursuant to the City of Neoga,

                                            Illinois, Redevelopment Plan for Tax Increment Area

                                            (Votaw-Swank Post No. 458, American Legion, as Illinois

                                            not-for-profit corporation)

After reviewing the ordinance, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to accept the ordinance and contract as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Pro-tem Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

Finance, Commissioner Hartke

Treasurer’s Report

After reviewing the treasurer’s report, Mayor Pro-tem Hartke ordered the financial report to be placed into the files of the City Clerk.

Public Property, Commissioner Groves

RESOLUTION #06-11-18   A Resolution of Financial Commitment for 2019 Illinois Safe Routes to School Grant Program Project.

After reviewing the resolution, Commissioner Groves made a motion to accept the resolution 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.

Plumbing Repairs at Neoga Community Center

City Clerk Evans gave a quote from Sudkamp Plumbing, Heating and Electric for repairs that were needed at the Neoga Community Center. These quotes were for the bathrooms that didn’t have operating fixtures. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Groves made a motion to have Sudkamp Plumbing, Heating, and Electric to make the repairs in the amount of $1,288. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Pro-tem Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

Purchase of Backhoe and / or New Bucket

Superintendent Durbin gave the Council a quote for a new backhoe at a cost of $95,000. However, with a trade-in of $49,460 for our current backhoe, the cost would be $45,540. Commissioner Edwards said that he didn’t feel that a new backhoe was really needed at this time because our current backhoe didn’t have that many hours on it. Durbin agreed, but asked if the council would entertain the idea of purchasing a new bucket for the old backhoe. The proposed bucket would allow the operator to maneuver the bucket in multiple directions and assist making the jobs go quicker. The new bucket would cost $8,000 plus freight and installation. Commissioner Groves asked Durbin how many hours this would save on an average job. Durbin said that he wasn’t sure. Commissioner Groves asked that Durbin contact the distributor and ask if they had any documentation on hours saved with the bucket. Durbin said that he would try to report back at the next meeting.

Superintendent Durbin told the Council that he also found a new mower that would cut their mowing time down drastically. Durbin handed out pamphlets for a 2018 Hustler Super 104. According to Durbin, this mower will cut a football field in seven (7) munities. Commissioner Edwards told Durbin that the Council is not ready to make a decision on mowing for next year but they would look at the material.

Streets and Alleys, Commissioner Edwards

Request to Abandon Burrow Avenue from 7th Street North

City Clerk Evans told the Council that she has received a request from Mr. Nathan Bergin asking the City of Neoga to abandon Burrows Avenue from 7th Street to the north by the alley. Commissioner Edwards said that he would like to wait before starting this process until after the first of the year. The other council members agreed.

Health and Safety, Commissioner Lindley

Commissioner Lindley didn’t have anything to report but did ask if someone could take a picture of the sidewalk by the pharmacy and send it to IDOT in Effingham to see if something could be done with the sidewalk. City Clerk Evans said that she has spoken to IDOT about the sidewalk and they said that they would review it.

Public Comments

Vic Brandenburg told the council that there are some trees on the boulevard between 5th & 6th Street along Shaffer Avenue. These trees are losing limbs regularly and Mr. Brandenburg is concerned that they will fall and hit one of his vehicle in his drive way. Superintendent Durbin told the Council and Brandenburg that he has looked at the trees and agreed a couple of the trees need to be removed and the other two need to be topped out. Durbin said that he will get quotes on the trees. Brandenburg also asked that Walnut Avenue be stripped. The Council explained that Walnut Avenue was a county road but we would notify them of the complaint.

Adjournment

Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:31 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Groves. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Pro-tem Hartke. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.

http://neoga.org/sites/neoga.org/files/meetingminutes/November%2013%2C%202018.pdf