City of Neoga Council met Jan. 14.
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 of Allegiance was recited. Those present were: Commissioners Lindley, Edwards, Hartke, and Mayor Kepp. Others present were City Clerk Brenda Evans, City Treasurer Diana Foor, and Building Inspector Jeff Morrison.
MINUTES
After reviewing the regular session minutes, Commissioner Hartke made a motion to approve the regular session minutes from December 10, 2018. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Ayes, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR KEPP
CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP TO NEAL CENTER YMCA
City Clerk Evans informed the Council that the City received a letter from the Neal Center YMCA offering a “Corporate Membership” for a donation of $1,000. This would give the full time employees a 10% discount on membership, access to both the Toledo and Mattoon YMCA, and most classes. The request died for lack of a motion.
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
City Clerk Evans asked the Council to set a date for the council members to meet and discuss the accomplishments achieved over the past 4 years as well as set goals for the next council to work on. After a brief discussion, the consensus of the Council decided to meet at 5:30 on February 11th, before the first February meeting.
ORDINANCE 931-01-19 An Ordinance Amending the City of Neoga Personnel Policy and Procedures (Vacation Leave and Overtime
Compensation During the Normal Work Week (40 Hours)
After reviewing the ordinance, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to accept the ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
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 $68,040.97. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
TREASURER’S REPORT
City Treasurer Foor told the Council that she has worked with First Neighbor bank on the interest rate for the reserve accounts. Foor explained that the TIF District and the Waterworks Operations/Maintenance reserves accounts interest rate has increased from.85% to 2.25%, and the remaining reserve accounts from.75% to 1.25%. The Council thanked Treasurer Foor for working with First Neighbor to increase these rates. After a brief discussion, Mayor Kepp ordered the financial report to be placed into the files of the City Clerk.
PUBLIC PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER GROVES
No report was given.
STREETS AND ALLEYS, COMMISSIONER EDWARDS
TREE REMOVAL
The Council reviewed a quote from Strasburg Tree Service to remove trees and the stumps at four areas of town. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Edwards made a motion to accept the bid in the amount of $2800. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
HEALTH AND SAFETY, COMMISSIONER LINDLEY
Commissioner Lindley said that he didn’t have anything on his agenda to report, but he would still like to get something done with the railroad tracks and walkways on East 6th and 7th Streets, as well as the sidewalk on Oak Avenue by the pharmacy, restaurant, and bank. Commissioner Hartke asked that we send pictures to IDOT about the sidewalk area by Sav Mor pharmacy and First Mid Bank due to people still tripping on the new sidewalk that IDOT put in.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Building Inspector Morrison updated the Council on a few items regarding the Zoning Board. Morrison said the City Attorney is currently working on revising some of the zoning concerns, and he is hoping to have something soon. Also, there will be a public hearing for three different issues. One item is the possibility of a solar farm within the 1.5 miles of the outlining area. According to Morrison, the current zoning does not allow for anything except recreational, so it needs to be addressed. A lengthy discussion was held regarding solar farms, and the council would like to see more information before taking any action.
City Treasurer Foor told the Council that Evans, herself, and the NPP Board have been discussing the purchase of new Christmas Lights. City Clerk Evans asked if the City would match the funds that NPP donates for the Christmas lights. After a lengthy discussion, the Council asked for a proposal for the next meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Hartke made a motion to move into executive session for Personnel Section 2(c) (1) – employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline and performance at 8:16 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes, Commissioner Hartke, Lindley, Edwards, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
RECONVENED AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was reconvened at 8:51 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Edwards. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindley. Those present for roll call were: Commissioners Edwards, Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp.
HIRING OF EMPLOYEE
Commissioner Edwards made a motion to hire Emily Oberg for $36,000 per year. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Edwards made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hartke. Ayes, Commissioner Edwards, Hartke, Lindley, and Mayor Kepp. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4-0.
https://neoga.org/sites/neoga.org/files/meetingminutes/January%2014%2C%202019.pdf
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