City of Neoga Council met Dec. 10.
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 ofAllegiance 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 Schabbing, Superintendent Durbin, Steve Pamperin, Effingham Daily News Reporter Crystal Reed.
MINUTES
After reviewing the regular session minutes, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to approve the regular session minutes from November 26, 2018. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, andMayor Kepp. Ayes, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR KEPP
REVENUE AUDIT PROPOSAL FROM AZAVAR
City Clerk Evans presented a proposal from Azavar Government Solutions to audit all the revenue from outside sources like Ameren, Mediacom, Coles Moultrie, and all telecommunication companies to make sure that the city is receiving the correct dollars.Evans explained that there would not be a cost to the city for this service; however, if Azavar discovers and collects for the city, they would get 45% for their fees, and the city would keep 55%. Commissioner Groves said that the company that he works for has an audit company that does the same thing, and it works very well for them. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to have Azavar conduct an audit for the city. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, CommissionerEdwards, Hartke, Groves, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
2019 CUMBERLAND COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION DUES
City Clerk Evans explained the dues for Cumberland County Development Corporation will be coming up in January. Evans explained that CCDC has been focusing on helping current businesses in Cumberland County instead of bringing new businesses to the county. Evans told the Council that bigger businesses do not have any incentives to locate in Illinois, and this has made it very difficult to attract them. Commissioner Hartke asked if all the meetings were still being held in Toledo, and Evans said that the monthly meetings are held at the Toledo Democrat / Neoga News building, but this year the annual dinner will be held at the Neoga American Legion. Hartke said that he would like to see more meetings held in Neoga so that people learn what CCDC does. CommissionerGroves made a motion to pay the dues for 2019 of $1,000. The motion was seconded byCommissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
APPOINTMENT TO CUMBERLAND COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
After a brief discussion, Commissioner Groves made a motion to appoint Brenda Evans and Zach Letizia to the Cumberland County Development Corporation board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley,Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
ORDINANCE 930-12-18 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Neoga, Illinois (Alcoholic Beverages)
After a brief discussion, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to approve the ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, Commissioner Groves and Edwards. Motion carried. 3-2.
RESOLUTION 07-12-18 A Resolution of the City of Neoga, Illinois, Establishing a Schedule of Meetings for the Council and the Board ofZoning Appeals and Planning
After a very brief discussion about keeping the meeting schedules the same,Commissioner Edwards made the motion to accept the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. 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.
RESOLUTION 08-12-18 A Resolution Concerning Ordinance #751-03-05 an Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Waterworks and Sewerage Bonds (Alternate B. Revenue Source) Series 2005 of the City of Neoga, Cumberland County, Illinois, Directing the Application of Funds to the Payment of Debt and Directing the Abatement of a Levy and Extension of Taxes for the Year 2019 Previously Established to Pay Such Bonds (Series 2005)
After reviewing the resolution, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to abate the bonds and accept the resolution as presented. 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
ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT FROM MET ENGINEERING & TESTING
City Clerk Evans explained to the Council that the quote from Met Engineering and Testing was to have an environmental subsurface exploration of the property at 1070 U.S. Route 45 (Crop Production). The scope of the work would be to install six (6) soil borings, at approximately fourteen (14) feet below surface, collect and test soil samples, and prepare a report on the findings. The work would be completed within a four (4) to five (5) week window at a cost of $11,279. After discussing the need for the testing, Commissioner Groves made a motion to accept the proposal. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FOR CITY GENERATORS
City Clerk Evans presented to the council a quote from D & M Electric to have all four (4) generators serviced and inspected. Evans told the Council that Superintendent Durbin has searched for other companies to compare the annual maintenance fees; however, he could not find any in the area. Commissioner Groves agreed and made a motion to hire D & M Electric to service the four (4) generators at a cost of $650 per generator. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
RESOLUTION 09-12-18 A Resolution of Support for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Grant Program – Revolving Loan Fund Closeout Program Grant for Targeted Water Main and Sanitary Sewer Line Public Infrastructure Improvements
City Clerk Evans explained that the resolution is to approve the RLF Closeout program and to apply for a project to replace water and sewer lines within the TIF area. Commissioner Groves made a motion to accept the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS
PURCHASE OF HELAC COUPLER FOR BACKHOE
Commissioner Edwards told the Council that Superintendent Durbin has asked to purchase a Helac Coupler for the backhoe which would save about 30% on the time it takes for ditching projects. The cost was $8,000 plus freight. Edwards said that the estimate also did not include installation of $6,214. Commissioner Edwards said that he did not feel that this was something that was needed at this time, and he recommended it be discussed at a later date. It was the consensus of the council to table it until spring.
HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER LINDLEY
Commissioner Lindley reported that the sidewalk in front of the Villa on #45 was better and was no longer a trip hazard. The railroad crossing on 6th Street between Maple and Burrows was a problem. Lindley said that he witnessed a woman pushing a stroller, and the wheels got stuck on the tracks. Although the train traffic is very low, it was still something the City should try to get resolved. It was the consensus of the Council to contact the railroad about the crossing on 6th and 7th Streets.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Police Chief Schabbing informed the Council that the police department had two police officers that had passed 15 years of service. Schabbing said that Officer Fuller was presented a 15 years of service plaque as a full time Neoga Police Officer and OfficerSteve Maroon was given a 15 year service plaque for a part time Neoga Police Officer. Schabbing said that pictures were taken of the presentation and will be published in the Neoga News.
Superintended Durbin told the Council that the public works department will be removing the sidewalk between Oak Avenue and Locust Avenue on 8th Street for safety purposes. Durbin also stated that the department has been very busy the past few weeks getting the Christmas lights revamped and up.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Hartke made a motion to move into executive session for PersonnelSection 2(c)(1) – employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance at7:37 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Groves, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
RECONVENED AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was reconvened at 9:40 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Hartke. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Those present for roll call were:Commissioners Hartke, Groves, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp.
2019 WAGE SCHEDULE AND CHRISTMAS BONUS
Commissioner Groves made a motion to give part time employee’s $25 worth of Neoga Community Bucks, and all full time employees $50 worth of Neoga Community Bucks and a gift certificate from Neoga IGA for a ham or turkey. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
Commissioner Groves made a motion to set the wages for 2019 in ordinance form. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Groves, Lindley, Edwards, Hartke and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Groves made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:49 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/December%2010%2C%202018.pdf
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